Grave-vault



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

FRANK C. RHEOBOTTOM, OF UNION CITY, MICHIGAN.

G RAVE-VAU LT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 476,171, dated May 31, 1892.

Application filed September 19, 1891. Serial No. 406,222. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK C. RHEOBOTTOM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Union City, in the county of Branch and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grave-Vaults; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others'skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of the vault completed and is a perspective view. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the vault partly constructed.

This invention has relation to grave-vaults; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of parts,as hereinafter described.

In carrying out my invention I form the vault of slabs or blocks of concrete or other suitable or imperishable material, the object being to provide a substantial vault around the casket in the grave either with or without the ordinary outside box or casing, the slabs forming the vault being capable of adjustment to various sizes.

The completed vault is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The casket or box is first lowered into the grave. Theslabs or blocks A, of rectangular form, are then placed in position, three on each side, as shown, their location being one on each end portion of each side and one midway between. The slabs B are then placed in position, two on each side, and so located as to lap the edges of slabs A, covering the space between them.

C O, &c., are the slabs forming part of the cover or roof, and which are next placed in position, their lower edges resting on the up per edges of slabs A, the upper edges of the corresponding ones on opposite sides resting against and supporting each other and forming the angle of the root.

These slabs C have each a groove or shoulder 6 on their lower edges for engagement with the upper edges of the slabs A, and at their upper edges they are cut away on opposite sides, as shown at O, forming theinterlocking shoulders. Slabs D are then placed in position with their lower edges resting against the upper edges of slabs B, their side edges lapping onto slabs 0. Their upper ends are shouldered in the same manner as are slabs C and interlock against each other in the same way. The end slabs E are then set up in the position shown. These slabs may be formed in one piece with the triangular upper portion or they may be in sections. It will be seen that if the sides are set nearer together for a smaller grave the top slabs would join each each other at a more acute angle, thus making them adjustable to different sizes, as may be necessary. The whole can then be given a covering of cement, making a complete watertight imperishable vault. The slabs may be conveniently crated for shipment.

Having described this invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A grave vault comprising side slabs A, spaced a short distance from each other, slabs B, overlapping the slabs A and covering the intervening spaces, the top slabs O O, spaced a short distance from each other, their lower edges resting on the upper edges of the slab A, the upper edges of the corresponding slabs on opposite sides resting against andsupporting each other and forming the angle of the roof, said upper edges being formed with interlocking shoulders, the slabs D, overlapping the slabs (J and closing the intervening spaces, the lower edges of said slabs D resting on the upper edges of the slabs B and their upper edges united in the same manner as those of the slabs O and the end slabs, all of said slabs being of imperishable material and their joints so arranged as to render them adjustable to different sizes of graves, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence .of two witnesses.

FRANK O. RHEOBOTTOM.

Witnesses:

JOHN T. OoRwIN, JOSEPH G. CORWIN. 

